The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. "We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1919. BOROUGH RATES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 477, 27 May 1919, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. "We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1919. BOROUGH RATES.

Bv the report on the borough finances, published in this issue, It will be seen that the Council purposes raising the general rate by a half-penny in the £. Such a proposal cannot be expected to become particularly popular; but, all things considered, It will probably prove the cheapest and most profitable In the long run. The financial position Is very weak, and there is no hope of an early recovery on the present rating, even if all works not of an immediately reproductive nature were stopped. Until the financial posb tion is improved, things are at a standstill—which state of affairs the town can ill-afford if it is intended to keep up in the race for progress. Towns, like individuals, must go forward or hackward : they cannot stand still. Without a reasonable amount of money to work on, the backward path must be taken, and this is unthinkable. Some people ma/ be of the opinion that raising a loan would be the better course to adopt, but, seeing that the Council's financial position is already very unsatisfactory, it is not desirable that the burden should be further iucreased bv a loan. It Is doubtful, in any case, whether a loan would be granted bv either the Government or the

ratepayers. The probabilities are distinctly unfavourable. We do not propose to go into details at present, but, taking a long view of the situation, we think the Council is to be commended on its proposal to take a step which, though it may be unpopular, is, nevertheless, iu the best interests of the ratepayers, the citizens as a bod v. and the welfare of the town.